Whitmarsh: Testing plans ‘practical’

McLaren team principal, Martin Whitmarsh, says he is pleased with the new testing proposals that are due to be presented to the FIA's World Motorsport Council.

Calls for in-season testing have increased following the row over the Mercedes tyre test, which was carried out after the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona in May.

But Whitmarsh now says that teams have come to a compromise over the new proposals, and that they are practical for all involved: "I think there's always a balance and I have historically supported a limitation on testing, as well as a whole range of other limitations," he told ESPN F1.

"But I think the compromise that's being struck is that by testing at a circuit on the Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday after a race in Europe makes it a little bit more practical."

The McLaren boss does however, believe that the sport should continue to seek ways of cutting costs for the smaller constructors: “We have to, nonetheless, continue to find ways in which we can save costs for the small teams, and we've got to be mindful of the challenges that they have as a business." Whitmarsh added.

"The proposals that we've got just about limit that. Historically we had race trucks and test trucks, we had a race team and a test team, and I think by doing this it's a bit of a strain and if you combine it with 21 races then it's a pretty tough old season. Formula One doesn't get any easier and we rely on adrenaline to get us through the year."